Peru – Northern Beaches

Overview

Hemingway & Our Sea
Although Peru is not a known beach destination, the north of Peru has several long white beaches washed by the waters of the Pacific ocean that offer perfect tranquility and privacy to visitors. Because of its all year around sunny weather, a visit to this region constitutes an optional break from the many Andean and archaeology oriented sites in the country. These beaches offer fine accommodations for entertainment, relaxation, and a wide range of water-sports (deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, surfing, kitesurfing,
It was the beaches of Northern Peru that inspired Ernest Hemingway to write his Nobel Prize winning novel, “The Old Man and the Sea”.
The northern Peruvian coastline between Tumbes and Piura features superb beaches that can stretch for 20 km, with pure white sand and bright blue seas, uninterrupted by sand bars, capes or islands. They are ideal for watersports such as surfing, windsurfing, water skiing Surfing, deep-sea fishing, water skiing and scuba diving. The area also has adequate and comfortable hotel infrastructure.
Some of the most popular beaches include Punta Sal. 84 km (52 miles) from the city of Tumbes. Where the sea is gentle and warm; and Playa Zorritos, 27 km (16 miles) from Tumbes, where the water is an average temperature of 26ºC. Cabo Blanco, 40 km (25 miles) north of Talara and 100 km (62 miles) south of the city of Tumbes. The beach is a one-kilometer stretch (less than a mile) of sand and regular waves. The area is a deep-sea fisherman’s paradise, with black marlins the prize catch. Mancora, 68 km (42 miles) from Talara, spreads along the Peruvian coastline. Near Tumbes one can visit the Tumbes National Mangroves Sanctuary, the Cerros de Amotape National Park and the Tumbes Reserved Zone, with protected wildlife. The mysterious mangrove swamps of Puerto Pizarro are also accessible.
Near Piura are the Colan beach resort, the town of Catacaos known for its arts and crafts and gold and silver jewelry, and the town of Chulucanas, famous for its pottery.